'Tie one on' for MADD
Winnipeg Free Press
November 6, 2008

Patrick Mowbray was high school class valedictorian and student council president at his Miami, Man., high school in 2000.

Three years later, Mowbray, 21, was dead, killed when a vehicle driven by a drunk driver collided into the car he was a passenger in.

Now his father, Doug, is hoping people will "tie one on" - red ribbons that is.

During the official launch of this year's Project Red Ribbon campaign on Thursday by the Winnipeg chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Doug Mowbray, the chapter's new president, said he vividly remembers when the lives of his family changed forever.

"I still remember that 4:30 a.m. call and then seeing Patrick in the morgue later that morning," Mowbray said.

"I sincerely hope it doesn't happen to anyone... tie one on for MADD. We want people to tie them on to their key chains, their antennas, and their mirrors.

"Don't drink and drive."

Patrick Mowbray was driving home from his summer tree planting job near Dryden when a northbound vehicle crossed into his southbound lane on Hwy. 3 about six kilometres south of Oak Bluff on May 17, 2003.

There were three other people in the vehicle Mowbray was in, but Mowbray was the only one killed.

The 47-year-old driver of the northbound vehicle also died in the collision.

Doug Mowbray said a handmade cross now marks the site of his son's death.

He said there are signs the annual MADD campaign and stiffer drunk driving laws are making a difference.

"When I first started five years ago there were 4.5 people getting killed every day in Canada and now there are four," he said.

Provincial Justice Minister Dave Chomiak was blunt when he talked about the people who have a few alcoholic drinks and still get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

"You are committing a criminal act - you are a criminal," Chomiak said.

"If you don't get caught it is no different than robbing a bank and not getting caught."

Chomiak said last year 22 Manitobans were killed by drunk drivers.

"That's 22 families who were torn apart. Hundreds of people had their lives impacted because somebody committed a criminal act."

Besides the booth at Kildonan Place, people can get a red ribbon and contribute money for MADD at any Manitoba Liquor Control Commission outlet.